112 Introduction to Safety Supervision

Safety Inspections

Delegate the responsibility for conducting safety inspections to supervisors and employees. Who is better positioned to identify and correct workplace hazards? Remember, as agents of the employer, the basic responsibility to inspect work areas rests with supervisors.

During the inspection, look for hazards and unsafe behaviors in the five MEEPS hazard categories. Using an inspection checklist may be a good idea. But don't engage in "tunnel vision:" overlooking hazards not listed on the checklist. Another problem is that inspectors may look only for "conditions" and ignore "behaviors:" check for both when inspecting.

Everyone Inspects

Supervisors should not be the only persons inspecting for safety in the work area. Everyone should be involved. But how does the supervisor get employees to willingly inspect for safety every day? Simple, supervisors set the example by inspecting regularly, they insist that everyone inspects, and they recognize (thank) their workers for inspecting and reporting hazards.

Job Hazard Analyses (JHA)

Unfortunately, the most serious weakness inherent in the safety inspection process is that very little time is devoted to analyzing behaviors. Another, more effective activity to ensure a safe and healthful workplace is the Job Hazard Analysis (JHA). This process may also be called a Job Safety Analysis (JSA). In the JHA/JSA process, supervisors and employees together analyze each step of a particular task and develop safe practices to make the task safer. The JHA looks at both worker behaviors and hazards associated with a job or task.

For more information on conducting a JHA, see course OSHAcademy Course 706, Job Hazard Analysis.

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